The Buffalo Bills have confirmed the death of defensive tackle Ed Oliver’s two-year-old son, who reportedly drowned in a swimming pool at the family’s Texas home earlier this summer.
“On behalf of the entire Buffalo Bills organization, we want to publicly express our condolences to Ed Oliver and his family on the devastating loss of his son,” the NFL team said Saturday in a statement posted online. “It’s an unthinkable tragedy for any parent. We will continue to support Ed and his family as we all grieve this tragic loss.”
The child reportedly drowned June 28.
The Houston Chronicle reported on the fatal incident in Huffman, Texas, at the time, without identifying the victim.
A dispatcher for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office was unable to immediately provide The Independent with additional information Saturday.
open image in galleryIn a Facebook post two days after the drowning, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said deputies found the toddler unresponsive in a pool in the 500 block of Lago Trace Drive in Huffman.
The child was rushed to a local hospital and pronounced dead, Gonzalez said, calling it a “tragic incident” and saying an investigation was underway.
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children under five, and the No. 2 cause after vehicle crashes for children ages five to 14 who die of fatal, unintentional injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Oliver, 28, was the Bills’ first-round draft pick in 2019, and he made 10 solo tackles and three sacks during the 2025 season, according to ESPN.
Huffman is a quickly growing unincorporated community about 30 miles northeast of Houston on the eastern shore of Lake Houston, an 11,000-acre reservoir, according to Homes.com.
Many houses sit on more than an acre of land in the wooded area, with many located in a series of subdivisions that feature custom- built, farmhouse-inspired residences, Homes.com says.